Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.

I moved to CA in 1980 when they were just starting with the wind farm at Altamont Pass near where my sister now lives. I took a few pics last year when I visited. They went up real fast and silicon valley was a robust source of capital for these early green entrepreneurial businesses.

I remember the bird strike, noise, environmental and economics complaints. It did not stop the progress of wind farms in CA. There are about 13,000 now in three areas including Altamont Pass (east of San Francisco), Tehachapi (south east of Bakersfield) and San Gorgonio (near Palm Springs, east of Los Angeles). In 1995, these areas produced 30 percent of the entire world's wind-generated electricity. And in 2004, about 1.5% of the state's total electricity. That's more than enough to light a city the size of San Francisco. These 3 areas still generate about 95% of CA's wind energy.

Whenever I go through the Altamont Pass, I see about half moving. There are quite a few different models and sizes. Some are huge. There are some cattle farms intertwined throughout the area where they use the land for grazing.

I have always been perplexed at the size and scope of these farms. I still can't tell you if they are worth it. Or if they are noisey or a good or bad investment. They are just there. For better or for worse. And there is no shortage of wind or politicians with wind.

I know that it is almost immpossible to compare these two states but one thing is for sure, where there is wind, there be wind power.

Yes those are very pretty. I say we make the whole of Maine look like that. That's why people come to Maine anyway they only come to shop in Freeport and go to the beach they never really go inland so lets surround Moosehead lake with wind turbines. They sure are pretty!

Yes those are very pretty. I say we make the whole of Maine look like that. That's why people come to Maine anyway they only come to shop in Freeport and go to the beach they never really go inland so lets surround Moosehead lake with wind turbines. They sure are pretty!

My pictures aren't that good. I didn't do them justice. The areas I've photographed are very green in the rainy season. Actually, most turbines are located on rolling hills with farms and beautiful scenery all around with nice views. And they are away from the population centers.

Just think, Maine with 13,000 turbines. I hear that Freeport gets more wind than anywhere else in Maine. Must be all that hot air.

My pictures aren't that good. I didn't do them justice. The areas I've photographed are very green in the rainy season. Actually, most turbines are located on rolling hills with farms and beautiful scenery all around with nice views. And they are away from the population centers.

Just think, Maine with 13,000 turbines. I hear that Freeport gets more wind than anywhere else in Maine. Must be all that hot air.

What the state should really do--providing these windmills are practical energy generators--is put them all in one place, away from the coast and away from the more inhabited or more visited areas.

Doing otherwise, as they are doing, a few here, a few over there--will result in spoiling the scenery in too many parts of the state.

So I say find a thousand or two empty acres far away from people, and stick all the damn things there and be done with it.

Should make erecting and maintaining them easier too, by putting them all in one spot.

Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.

Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.